Published 6:00 pm, Friday, January 15, 2010

Leaning away from her black-colored steer as her long blond ponytail swung behind her at this weekend's Midland County Livestock Show, 11-year-old Camryn Morrison tugged on the rope with all her weight and waited for her animal to follow.

After guiding him into line along the back fence set up at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena, Morrison stroked the steer — whose head reached just taller than the pink head band atop her own skull — and waited for the judges to assess the row of American steer.

One by one the judges eliminated males from the five competing in one of the early steer categories Friday afternoon until Morrison was left at the front of the line while two teens around her struggled to maintain control of their feisty animals.

"Just scratch 'em," she said, speaking quietly and matter-of-factly about her tactic as her family gathered to congratulate her on the first place ribbon.

About 155 youth competed in this year's show that ran Wednesday through Thursday. And while not everyone was able to win a ribbon in each category they entered, 4-H and Youth Development agent at the Midland County Extension Office Kodie Hoover said the competition is meant to be a friendly one and to be a learning experience for the kids.

The competitors and their families said they spend anywhere from one to three or more hours each day feeding, grooming and caring for their animals. Several of the steer being shown were purchased in March, families said, and many of the goats shown joined the Midland County residents during the fall.

"It's something the family can do together," said Shelley Hartley, who watched her daughter compete in the goat category.

To successfully raise and show any animal, Hoover said before the event, parents and children do have to work together both to budget for feeding and cleaning supplies and also to properly care for the animals.

"It's very much a family effort," said Carol Williamson, as she and her husband Lonnie helped their 11-year-old son Kwentan pat baby powder onto his goat.

The 4-H projects, she said, also are important because they teach the youth responsibility and force them to commit to something every day.

"I think it turns 'em into better adults, really," she said, adding her son also keeps records of what's spent and on how much is fed to the animal.

Greenwood student Jaylynn Murray, 15, said she got into showing lambs and pigs several years ago after urging from her "Nanna," whose own children participated in agricultural programs.

"I like learning about the animals and what their personalities are like," Murray said, leaning on a stool in the midst of the stalls set up at the Horseshoe.

Rabbits, chickens, goats, sheep, pigs and steer were all shown throughout the week before several of the animals were auctioned off Saturday. Some families chose to retain their livestock and will take the animals to subsequent stock shows throughout the state, they said.

The majority of the competitors were in third through 12th grade, though children as young as 5 were permitted to show rabbits and goats, Hoover said.

With the sparkly belt, button-up shirt, jeans and boots that seemed to be the uniform for many of the females participating, 18-year-old Lacy Law stood with her steer Friday preparing for one of her last appearances in the youth stock show. After competing for about 10 years, Law said she'll miss getting to participate with the youth but hopes to show in open categories as an adult.

Nearly all of the contestants had parents standing outside the competition ring or sitting in the stands during each show and several also had grandparents and siblings cheering them on.

And while there were some red faces of frustration when an animal didn't cooperate during the show, most were there to congratulate their friends when they won ribbons and to shake hands with the judges who offered them tips on succeeding in future shows.

"It's still the same old folks," said Chris Matlock, who competed as a youngster himself and was there to greet his 11-year-old son Kyle with a hug after his steer was particularly ornery during his moment in front of the judges.